Freddie Freeman Knows Philly Boos Are Coming. He’s Fine With It.

Freddie Freeman is about to experience something most players only dream of: a standing ovation at Citizens Bank Park. Just kidding. It’s going to be the opposite.

The Dodgers first baseman and former Braves cornerstone knows exactly what’s waiting for him when he steps into the batter’s box for Tuesday night’s All-Star Game. Philadelphia fans have long memories, and Freeman has spent more than a decade torturing them from the other side of the NL East.

“I know probably the reception isn’t going to be that great for the Dodgers, or any other team for that matter, but it’s always been a great place to play and one of my favorites,” Freeman told FOX’s Ken Rosenthal before the game.

He’s not wrong. The man has a career .300 average at CBP with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 63 games there. Most of that damage came while he was wearing Braves red, but now he’s in Dodger blue — and that makes it worse. Los Angeles knocked the Phillies out of last year’s playoffs in brutal fashion, and fans haven’t forgotten.

Freeman, 36, is one of the most universally liked players in baseball. Until he puts on a helmet in South Philly, anyway. Then he’s public enemy number one.

The left-handed slugger said the afternoon All-Star red carpet walk got some warm cheers, which was a surprise. But he’s not naive about what happens when the game starts.

“The Bank is going to let me have it,” he said with a grin.

And honestly, that’s part of why he loves playing there. Freeman has always appreciated the intensity of Phillies fans. They’re loud, they’re relentless, and they don’t care who you are. If you beat their team, you pay for it.

The Dodgers are the gold standard right now — two straight World Series titles, a stacked lineup, and the kind of payroll that makes half the league jealous. Philadelphia fans waited a long time for Freeman to leave the division. Then he just went to a team that’s even harder to root against.

So expect the boos to rain down when No. 5 steps to the plate. He’s ready for them. He might even enjoy them.

Freeman is a future Hall of Famer, a 2020 NL MVP, and an eight-time All-Star. He’s been booed before. He’s been cheered before. Tuesday night, he’ll get both — just not at the same time.